The ruins of Oksu Station receded behind them as they ran. In front, Geumho Station lay ahead—underground and seemingly farther away, giving a sense that time was more fragile than it appeared.
They had twenty minutes. Yoo Joonghyuk kept his pace without glancing back, already knowing which routes to take.
When the sign for Exit 3 emerged, Kim Namwoon's eyes brightened despite his tiring legs.
He was ready to turn toward Exit 3, but seeing the two people in front of him continue running past it, Kim Namwoon took a deep breath and shouted, "Hey—why don't we just smash through that one?" he shouted, hoping someone could hear him. "If it's blocked, we could try forcing it open. Isn't that simple?"
[The Constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' would ask the same question.]
[Constellations who love violence and destruction are demanding violence within the scenario.]
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't answer. He knew that the fire shutters were designed to withstand more than brute force.
Before the silence between them stretched too long, Lee Hyunsung spoke up. "We could try," he said, his breath steady despite the run. "But we don't even know if it can be opened. Forcing to do so might waste time we don't have."
[The Constellation 'The Sword Bound by Brotherhood' shows quiet approval toward Incarnation 'Lee Hyunsung'.]
Kim Namwoon clicked his tongue, but didn't argue further. Lee Hyunsung was just that kind of person.
Yoo Joonghyuk had noticed it long ago—in scenarios like this, such people survived longer than they realized.
Behind Kim Namwoon, an unseen gaze lingered. The Constellation Abyssa; Black Flame Dragon watched with mild interest, amused by the boy's impatience, already curious whether that recklessness would turn into entertainment—or disappointment.
"We'll go to Exit 4," Yoo Joonghyuk said, his voice low but certain. "The other doors are sealed. There's no point in trying them."
Kim Namwoon grimaced, wiping sweat from his brow. "Tch... figures. You really sound like you've been in this... I don't even know what to call this damn tragedy."
Lee Hyunsung didn't ask how Yoo Joonghyuk knew. He nodded once and kept his mouth shut while also keeping up his pace with Yoo Joonghyuk's.
Without a moment's hesitation, Yoo Joonghyuk shifted his direction, cutting toward the darker side of the station. Their decision settled something in the air—uncertainty gave way to motion, and the three of them ran on.
Yoo Joonghyuk hadn't gathered them together by chance. From the moment he reached out his hand, he had been collecting them—guiding two people who would become crucial later, each for a very specific reason.
Lee Hyunsung's evolution would come the moment he reclaimed his sense of justice. When that conviction solidified, his exclusive attribute would advance, and with it, he would obtain a new stigma other than 'Great Mountain Push'.
For Lee Hyunsung, power came from choosing to stand firm when it was easier to look away.
The moment he decides that protecting others is worth the suffering, his attribute will bloom like never before.
And Yoo Joonghyuk knew, even from previous regressions, that Lee Hyunsung would grow into someone capable of enduring what lay ahead.
Kim Namwoon's case was different. His evolution was triggered through slaughter—specifically, the killing of those who truly provoked him.
If he kept killing—his exclusive attribute would evolve to something greater than he is right now.
And with the sponsor he had chosen, that change wouldn't stop at power. Bit by bit, his thoughts would twist. The line between right and wrong would blur, until one day, he might no longer be able to tell the difference.
If that happened, Kim Namwoon wouldn't just be stronger—he would be lost. Yoo Joonghyuk had no intention of letting it reach that point.
If things went according to plan, Lee Hyunsung would awaken his sensde of justice, and Kim Namwoon would be pushed ti change before it was too late.
And Yoo Joonghyuk knew a place—one where both of them could obtain their attribute evolution.
They didn't have much time. Yoo Joonghyuk led without hesitation, already movinf toward the underground Geumho Station through streets that felt narrower the further they went.
Kim Namwoon broke the silence first. "Hey—why did you decide to help us back at the subway?" His voice tried for lightness, but his eyes kept guarded on their surroundings. "We didn't even know each other."
"Yes... I've been wondering about that too." Lee Hyunsung spoke after a moment. "Why did Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi choose to help us back then?"
[The Constellation 'Bald General of Justice' thought it was a straightforward act of justice.]
[Constellations that move by the concept of justice feel great affection towards Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk.]
[Constellations have sponsored Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' 1350 Coins.]
Yoo Joonghyuk heard the messages from the Constellations, felt the sudden shift in attention that followed behind him. He understood how easily meaning was assigned—how a single assumption, once noticed by one, would ripple outward and settle as truth in the eyes of many.
To those bright stars in the sky, his action were simple. Clean, justice, even.
But that wasn't why he had reached out a hand back then.
It wasn't heroism, nor some lofty sense of righteousnes. Yoo Joonghyuk had acted because it was necessary, and because leaving them behidn would cost him more in the end. Explaining that now would only complicaet rthings, twisting purpoes into doubt.
So he remained silent. Speaking of such things now would only burden them. If that past became fear instead of resolve, their growth might stall before it even happens.
Lee Hyunsung slowed his pace for half a step, then glanced at Kim Namwoon. Kim Namwoon met his eyes, lips parting as if to argeu—then clicked his tongue and looked away.
No one pressed the issue.
Without waiting for a response, Yoo Joonghyuk turned at the next intersection. A narrw side street opened before them. From there, Geumho Station lay just a hundred meters ahead.
Yoo Joonghyuk broke into a sprint toward exit 4.
When they arrived at the exit, the metal shutter was already rolling down, pressing down the air with a low groan. Without warning, Yoo Joonghyuk thrust hus hand into the narrowing gap. Cold steel scraped against his palm as the shutter bit down.
"Shit—what is that?" someone shouted from the other side.
Ignoring the complaint, Yoo Joonghyuk shoot the shutter upward with a single hand. The sound of metal shrieked against another metal echoed violently through the passageway.
"Uwaaaaack!"
The sudden resistance sent panic rippling through the people beyod the shutter. Shadows stumbled backward.
"R-Run away!"
The scared men escaped into the dakrness of the underground passage.
The shutter stayed up just long enough.
Yoo Joonghyuk ducked through first, Kim Namwoon and Lee Hyunsung following close behind. The moment they crossed the treshold, the pressure in the air vanished—as if there were the same invisible barrier just like earlier.
[You have entered the safety zone.]
The poisonous fog stopped at the boundary. There waas no logic to it. The wworld obeyd the rules of the scenario.
The three of them stood there for a brief moment, catching their breath.
"Tch—then what are we waiting for?" Kim Namwoon said, glancing nervously down the platform. "If this place is supposed to be safe, shouldn't we move deeper in?"
"We'll wait." Yoo Joonghyuk replied.
Kim Namwoon turned his head sharply toward Yoo Joonghyuk. "What?"
"I need you to do something." Yoo Joonghyuk said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lee Hyunsung stiffened slightly, sensing the shift. Kim Namwoon frowned, irritation flashing across his face—but befpre he could press further, a new sound cut through the station.
Footsteps could be heard clearly.
Lights from a flashlight filled the space with surprise. Then another.
"There they are!"
Flashlights bobbed closer, revealing men gripping metal pipes, their faces tense and hardened—the air swallowd by hostility.
[The Constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' roots for violence.]
[A few Constellations frown at those hindering the progress of the scenario.]
A large man at the center stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as he looked the three of them over. His gaze lingered, heavy nd appraisibg.
Then one of them spoke aggressivelyu.
"You thre. Who are you?"
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't answer right away. He leaned in instead, just enough for Kim Namwoon and Lee Hyunsung to hear. His voice dropped low—words passing between them without leaving a trace. Whatever he said, it was brief.
[Several Constellations are wondering about what Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' whispered.]
Even the stars cannot seem to hear what he whispered.
Kim Namwoon's eyes widened for a split second—then curved sharply. A laugh slipped out of him, low and unrestrained.
"Ah... I get it now." He said, his shoulders shaking as if he were holding back more laughter. "So that's what you want us to do, huh?" He clicked his tongue, delighted. "Heh."
Lee Hyunsung didn't laugh. He swallowed down his saliva, his jaw tightening, and nodded once.
"Without Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi..." he murmured, almost to himself. "I don't think I'd survive in this world." His fists clenched. "I'll do it."
The men with the pipes bristled at the silence surrounding them.
"Hey!" One of them barked. "Asnwer us—or else!"
Kim Namwoon tilted his head, grin widening. "Or else what?"
He didn't wait for an answer
The small knife flashed as Kim Namwoon lunged forward, his movement sudden and reckless, carried by a sharp, reckless thrill.
Almost at the same time, Lee Hyunsung stepped in—his body moving on instinct, fist driving forward with weight behind it, the result of his own hard-earned strength and hurried preparations.
A small pocket knife clashed with a large metal pipe. The small knife, infused with abyssal energy from Kim Namwoon's right hand, struck as he unwrapped his bandages mid-fight.
Lee Hyunsung's pure strength alone could hold on in the fight. The Great Mountain Push could also be used in a fight. Pushing back the poeple with the pipes.
And through it all, Yoo Joonghyuk remained where he was.
He watched as the fight unfolded exactly as intended.